Support for vaccination against COVID-19 in three towns and a village in Oku-Aizu

Abstract

Abstract:Vaccination is being promoted around the world as an effective countermeasure against COVID-19.　The Oku-Aizu Homecare Center （OAHC）, a division of the Fukushima Prefectural Miya­shita Hospital, has provided support for group vaccination in the three Oku-Aizu towns of Yanaizu, Mishima, Kaneyama, and the village of Showa.　The OAHC began discussing vaccination with the three Oku-Aizu towns and the village in March 2021 and vaccinations began in May 2021.　Between May and August 2021, 20 group vaccination sessions were delivered, with the OAHC providing support for all group vaccinations and post-vaccination follow-up.　A total of 2,290 people were vaccinated with 14 cases requiring post-vaccination support.　In four of these cases, anti-allergic medication was prescribed and two cases required referral to a medical institution.　Additionally, seventy-nine people were vaccinated in the visiting vaccination program, none of whom required post-vaccination care.　In this unprecedented project, we focused on alleviating the burden on the towns and the village involved when preparing for vaccination delivery.　Furthermore, the knowledge and experience gained from the group vaccination against influenza in the previous year, conducted in one district of Mishima Town, were useful in this project.　Based on the deepening of relationships between the towns, the village and the medical institutions through this initiative, the people of the three towns and the village support the OAHC in continuing its activities to protect the future health of residents.